Biography

Roger Sayer is the original Interstellar organist. His 2014 collaboration with Hans Zimmer resulted in one of the most iconic soundtracks in movie history. The program will include the original score by Zimmer as well as the Planet Suite by Gustav Holst.

Roger Sayer is at the forefront of British choral and organ music. A former organ student at St Paul's Cathedral, Roger was Prize Winner at the 1989 St Albans International Organ Competition, and won all the organ prizes at the Royal College of Music. Since then, he has been constantly in demand both as a recitalist and accompanist, and his playing takes him to many parts of the world, including recent trips to Germany, Holland, Denmark, Italy, Switzerland, Australia, America and Canada.

Roger’s most notable performance work is as organ soloist for Hans Zimmer's Oscar Nominated score for the motion picture Interstellar. He later went on to perform the work with composer Hans Zimmer in a live showing of the film at the Royal Albert Hall, and was a special guest at London's O2 with Hans Zimmer and his world tour.

Other recent organ engagements have included a live recital at Temple Church, broadcast on the BBC, and playing the opening concert at the Summer Organ Festival at Westminster Abbey. His recording work includes the complete Rheinberger Sonatas and the six symphonies of Louis Vierne (both of which were met with unanimous 5 star reviews), as well as a soundtrack for a Sony video game, and a collaboration with jazz saxophonist Mark Lockheart and composer John Ashton Thomas in the album, Salvator Mundi. In addition to his organ playing, Roger Sayer is also an acclaimed choral director with some of the UK's finest choirs. After founding the Rochester Cathedral Girls’ choir,

Roger was Organist and Director of Music at Temple Church from 2013-2023, and created an impressive portfolio of broadcasts, concerts and recordings. Under his direction, the choir’s recordings and performances consistently received 5 star reviews. During the pandemic, he commissioned two works specifically for the boys of the choir. One of these works, Carmina Tempore Viri by Kenneth Hesketh, led to a live BBC Radio 3 concert with the choristers as they emerged after 18 months rehearsing on Zoom. During his time at Temple Church, Roger also initiated a new mixed youth choir, offering choral singing opportunities to girls for the first time in the church choir’s history.

Interstellar special screening at Sambíóin

To mark Roger Sayer’s visit to Iceland and the special Interstellar concert, the film Interstellar will also be screened at Sambíóin cinemas. This gives concertgoers and film lovers a unique opportunity to experience this powerful film once again on the big screen, where Hans Zimmer’s music and Roger Sayer’s iconic organ performance play a central role.